Away Back Gone
FanSided

Cleveland Indians: Five Myths Debunked in 2016

By Matthew Johns

Oct 19, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Indians first baseman Carlos Santana (41) celebrates after making the final catch to beat the Toronto Blue Jays in game five of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Indians first baseman Carlos Santana (41) celebrates after making the final catch to beat the Toronto Blue Jays in game five of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next

Myth #2: They Do Not Have Power Hitters

Oct 19, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Indians designated hitter Mike Napoli (26) hits a RBI double during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays in game five of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Indians designated hitter Mike Napoli (26) hits a RBI double during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays in game five of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

This myth goes along with the last one but was a completely separate argument coming into this season.

It was impossible to predict the offensive output that Napoli gave the Indians. At 34 years old, Napoli put to together his best season. Not only did he connect for 34 home runs, but he also eclipsed 100 RBI’s for the first time in his career.

Santana also became the power hitter that everybody had expected upon his debut as an Indian. Tied for the team lead in home runs with Napoli, he also turned in a career-high 87 runs batted in.

Kipnis’s power surge came out of nowhere. Never projected to be a power hitter, it would be hard to imagine him ever giving the team 23 home runs again. It is, however, more than welcomed.

A collection of other players were able to give the Indians more home runs than expected. Lindor’s 15, Davis’ 12, and Tyler Naquin’s 14 all came as a surprise, and the club boasted five players with more than 75 runs driven in.

Home/Cleveland Guardians News